Before Roosevelt Clark's remains were driven to the People's Missionary Baptist Church, his hearse drove through Bakersfield High School, where hundreds of students paid tribute to a hero.
Students paused to remember a Korean War veteran, and a former Driller as Clark's hearse made its way through campus.
Several students said, they've never seen anything like Friday's tribute.
"It's a great thing for someone to be able to come home finally," said Ryan Appleton, student at BHS.
After 62 years, Korean War veteran Roosevelt Clark is home.
On Friday, hundreds of students lined the street at Bakersfield High School, to celebrate the life of a former Driller, a person they never knew.
"Once a Driller, always a Driller. So, it means that one member of our family is coming back home, it's part of our history, it's part of us, it's part of what this school is, said a student.
Students from the ROTC program, formed a single file line to salute a hero.
Clark's remains were escorted through campus, where students, staff and parents united.
"We are honoring him, as it should be," said Dee Hawk, who paid tribute to Clark.
Clark attended BHS but never graduated. According to his transcript, he was very active in choir and football.
But, in 1950, Clark dropped out of school as a junior to join the army.
"It's just mind-boggling that now, finally, he gets to come home, home where he belongs," continued Hawk.
During the tribute, students stood shoulder to shoulder, carrying signs, welcoming the patriot home.
Students at BHS say as a Driller, they wanted to honor Clark the best way they knew how.
"I've seen people come back that are never the same," said Appleton. "But this man, he went missing in action and it's so emotional that he's finally back and it's a great thing that he's able to be back and that they found his home."
History and archiving teacher Ken Hooper said the school was able to find six pictures of Clark while he was a student at BHS.
Those photos were delivered to his family Friday.